GRE Verbal : Parts of Speech in One-Blank Texts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #614 : Text Completion

Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

The correlation between the increased rates of heart disease in the population and the corresponding rise in type II diabetes __________ a possible link.

 

Possible Answers:

invokes

implies

evinces

aggregates

infers

Correct answer:

implies

Explanation:
Since there is a positive correlation between heart disease and type II diabetes in this example, this correlation would suggest that there may be a link between them. "Evinces," which means "proves," would be too strong a word to describe this possibility. The best choice of these options is "Implies," meaning "suggests indirectly." Remember not to confuse imply with infer!

 

Example Question #615 : Text Completion

If he had the time, he preferred to __________ instead of taking the most direct route.

Possible Answers:

flaunt

burrow

lope

charge

meander

Correct answer:

meander

Explanation:

The sentence says he does not take "the most direct route." This means he was going a winding way, which the correct answer should reflect. "Meander," meaning to wander around, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #616 : Text Completion

Although the president's speech was intended to calm the protest, it actually __________ the protester's anger.

Possible Answers:

ameliorated

pacified

relaxed

compensated

stoked

Correct answer:

stoked

Explanation:

The construction of the sentence contrasts the missing word with the president's intent "to calm." This indicates the correct answer will be an antonym of calming. "Stoked," meaning fueled or enhanced, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #183 : Verbs In One Blank Texts

Due to his simple nature, he was frequently __________ by underhanded schemes.

Possible Answers:

duped

stoked

enhanced

embossed

doted

Correct answer:

duped

Explanation:

The sentence notes the subject had a "simple nature" which brought "underhanded schemes." This indicates the correct answer needs to show he was quite gullible. "Duped," meaning fooled or cheated, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #617 : Text Completion

Once the opposition asked for more conditions, the group __________ at negotiating any further.

Possible Answers:

reenergized

balked

stippled

quirked

quarried

Correct answer:

balked

Explanation:

The "opposition" has "asked for more conditions" causing the group to do the missing word. The correct answer must indicate the group will no longer negotiate. "Balked," meaning prevented or backed off from, is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #618 : Text Completion

The new prime minister wanted to __________ with the country's traditional enemy, in a break from the previous regime.

Possible Answers:

villify

conciliate

alienate

dissipate

condescend

Correct answer:

conciliate

Explanation:

The "new prime minister" sought a "break from the previous regime." This means he wants to approach "the country's traditional enemy" differently. "Conciliate," meaning to bring together, is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #861 : Gre Verbal Reasoning

After being largely unheralded, her third novel __________ many different awards for the author.

Possible Answers:

recused

gamboled

mitigated

garnered

rehected

Correct answer:

garnered

Explanation:

The sentence describes the author having "many different awards." This indicates the correct answer should mean to gather or collect, the definition of "garnered."

Example Question #622 : Text Completion

The new coach's first task was to __________ a dull and boring team.

Possible Answers:

enervate

further

vivify

hallow

dampen

Correct answer:

vivify

Explanation:

The coach's task applies to "a dull and boring team." This indicates the coach must make them less "dull and boring." "Vivify," meaning to enliven and perk up, is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #621 : Text Completion

In order to distance herself from the extreme views of members of her party, the politician __________ the recent speech by the party leader.

Possible Answers:

stagnated

disavowed

endorsed

reviled

acquiesced

Correct answer:

disavowed

Explanation:

The politician's purpose is to distance herself from the party with her response to the speech. To "disavow" the speech most clearly accomplishes that purpose.

Example Question #622 : Text Completion

Once his wife passed away, he began to __________ the times he could not spend with her.

Possible Answers:

rue

sate

caulk

gale

assay

Correct answer:

rue

Explanation:

The sentence discusses a man that "could not spend time" with a wife who "passed away," leading to the missing word. The correct answer needs to indicate a desire to have spent time with her. "Rue," meaning regret or sorrow, is the best choice.

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